Spring sports postseason update (May 15)

GOLF

The Panthers boys golf team competed as a team today in the 6A Dodge City Regional.

They finished in first place with a score of 312, 24 shots better than Dodge City.

Junior Jaydon Carruthers finished second place in the playoff with 1-over 72.

Derby had five players finish in the top 10 — Knowlyn Egan was third, Isaak Bowman tied for fourth, Nathan Pierce was eighth and Ty Johnson ninth. Cael Asmann was 11th.

They competed against Dodge City, Garden City, Liberal, Campus, Wichita Northwest, Wichita South and Wichita West.

SOCCER

The girls soccer team will play against Topeka (8-8) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The Panthers (9-6-1) would advance to play at Washburn Rural on Thursday with a win.

SOFTBALL

The Panthers softball team is 19-1, earning the No. 1 seed, and will host the Class 6A regional at DeCarsky Park.

The Panthers will play Dodge City (3-17). With a win, Derby will play the winner of Junction City (9-10) and Topeka (8-10).

“This season has been going very good,” junior Avery Kelley said. “We have a ton of talent on our team, and we flow well as a team.”

The Panthers were unbeaten until falling to Maize South on May 5. But they recovered to win the AVCTL I title, securing it by beating Maize South in the second game of the doubleheader.

“I think our first loss was sort of an eye-opener for us,” Kelley said. “Even though it sucked to lose a game, it humbled us and showed we need to work hard for postseason.”

SWIMMING

Girls swim and dive won the AVCTL I meet on May 13 in Maize. It was their fourth straight league title. Jojo Valles qualified for state diving at the meet. Along with Kenidi Lowmaster finishing first, Alexis Stanton in second, Valles in fourth and Nico Canals in ninth. All four girls have qualified.

State Swim and Dive is taking place Thursday through Saturday in Topeka. Senior Mia Drieling and sophomore Carson Griffin qualified for state swimming. Multiple other girls have state consideration times. Senior Elizabeth Barclay has consideration times in the 500 freestyle and 200 individual medley. 

TENNIS

Boys tennis ended its season at the Class 6A tournament where Isaak Bowman and Hayden Carrillo played doubles and Tyler Bradt was in singles. 

Bowman and Carrillo finished 11th, winning their final match 9-4.

TRACK

The track teams’ regional is Friday in Garden City with field events starting at 11 a.m., running at noon and prelims at 2 p.m.

Some of the athletes to watch include William Hopson, who won the 400 meters at the AVCTL I meet, and Piper Hula, who won the 400 and was second in the 800 at the league meet. Hopson’s best 400 time of 50.40 is second-best in Class 6A.

Also at the league meet, Ben Schnelle took second in the 110 hurdles, the  400 relay team was third, 3200 relay second and Jesus Bey third in pole vault. Aaron Gardiner was third in the 400, Leshaon Davis second in shot put.

On the girls side, Maycee Bell was second in the 300 hurdles, third in the 100 hurdles, Rylan Syring third in high jump, 400 relay third.